Norma Marinello

SHELTON, Wash. – Norma M. (Girolimon) Marinello, 87, a resident of Northcliff Adult Family Home for two months, died Feb. 8, 2013, at Northcliff Adult Family Home.

Norma was born Oct. 1, 1925, in Crystal Falls to Mary (DeMuri) of Michigan and Batista Girolimon of Italy.

She was a volunteer spotter in the water towers in Crystal Falls, watching for enemy planes trying to enter the U.S. through Canada during World War II.

She married William J. Marinello on Nov. 5, 1946, in Michigan.

Norma and Bill owned and operated Ben Franklin Stores in Michigan from 1946-1961. Norma owned and operated her own store, The Gift Gallery, in Michigan. The couple moved to Brawley, Calif., and owned and operated a Ben Franklin there from 1961-1972.

Norma then opened Quilt Stores in the California cities of Brawley and El Centro until she and Bill retired to Grass Valley, Calif.

They played golf in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. When they retired, they traveled in their RV. They belonged to the Italian American Club when they first moved to Grass Valley. Norma and Bill played duplicate bridge and party bridge and had family get-togethers that always included playing cards.

After her beloved husband died Aug. 14, 2003, Norma moved to Shelton to be near her daughter, Billie Jean, and her family. Norma had great love for her family. Family get-togethers were very important to her and included much love, great Italian food, playing cards or bocce ball and a lot of laughter.

Norma’s funeral is scheduled for Aug. 3, in Crystal Falls, where she will be inurned next to her husband.

She was cremated by Forest Funeral Home of Shelton under the direction of Dave Lucas.

The family requests memorial donations be made to either the Alzheimer’s Society of Northern California, P.O. Box 1824, Sacramento, CA 95812, or Providence Sound Home Care and Hospice, 3432 South Bay Road N.E., Olympia, WA 98506.